An addiction treatment centre proposed for Ward 3 has divided the community. On one side, homeowners who are unhappy about the prospect of a treatment centre in their neighbourhood. On the other, the families and loved ones of those living with addiction and trying to heal from its grasp.

Kathleen Wynne-McAughey knows what it is like to love someone who is being swallowed by addiction. Her brother, a former paramedic, fell into heavy drug use after experiencing childhood trauma, watching his father die of cancer and dealing with the difficulties of his profession.

“My brother is one of the most beautiful humans that you could ever cross paths with. He has a charismatic personality that reaches out to others, not only because is he kind, loving and gentle but because he loves unconditionally. He wears his heart on his sleeve and will joyfully lend a helping hand to anyone in need,” Wynne-McAughey told The Star. “He began to experiment with the use of substances to try to numb the hurt and pain of childhood trauma. This occasional substance use increased when cancer suddenly took the life of our father, as well as the recurring flashbacks of the unspeakable, horrific scenes he witnessed working as a paramedic. This downward spiral quickly led to substance abuse.

“As control was lost, his mind, body and soul began to depend solely on the next fix for survival. Soon, my brother lost it all — relationships, possessions and himself. Before our eyes, a brother, a son, an uncle, a nephew and a grandson was unrecognizable and had completely submitted to what now was a raging heroin, cocaine and meth addiction. Our family was living in turmoil and we did not know where to turn to for help. We were mourning our loved one’s death while he was still living.”

Wynne-McAughey said she and her brother had an idyllic childhood, the kind most people dream about. But as his addiction got worse, her brother got more desperate, more despondent. At one point, he had nearly given up and had accepted an early death.

“When I saw the defeat in his eyes and his broken stance — he was so ashamed that he couldn’t even look anyone in the eyes,” Wynne-McAughey said. “I begged him to hold on a little longer and assured him this was not the end and he was loved beyond words and that he was more than his addiction.”

And then a friend told her about Teen Challenge.

“We called the intake line and an intake worker answered immediately; he was so kind and welcoming,” Wynne-McAughey said. “We gave him some background information on our situation; he was very supportive towards us. This gave us that little extra motivation that we needed to keep going, then he guided us towards the application process. By the end of our conversation, we wondered if this was just too good to be true or if this was the program that would help my brother break free from the chains of addiction. Once we got the application package, my brother began to read the mission statement. This was the first time in a very long time that I saw hope restored in his eyes.”

But before her brother would be admitted to the centre, he had to face one more challenge. He had gone into a drug-induced psychosis and had been taken to hospital with sepsis. He developed septic shock, but Wynne-McAughey, ever the loyal sister, did not lose hope.

“He was in good hands and he was safe from the streets,” she said. “Things could only get better from this point.”

Her brother healed and she said “it was very clear he never wanted to return to the dangerous lifestyle the streets had to offer.”

He completed the Teen Challenge intake application and was admitted to the program. He remains there today, healing from years of drug abuse.

“He was ready to begin a new path,” Wynne-McAughey said. “The day my brother walked through the doors of the Teen Challenge home, his life was restored, As for his family, we could finally have peace and sleep through the night knowing that he was safe. Every phone call, every letter received and every visit we have had is cherished in our hearts, knowing that it could all be taken away from us with just one relapse. Teen Challenge brought hope to my brother and entire family, hope we never thought we would experience again. Without Teen Challenge it is likely my brother would not be with us today.”

Teen Challenge, a faith-based organization headquartered in London, would like to set up an addiction treatment centre at the former Club Richelieu on Vermillion Lake. The organization operates a number of residential treatment facilities across Canada, which require a one-year commitment from clients. But the location of the proposed centre is causing angst for some area residents.

Tim Foucault, a resident of Chelmsford, said that during a community meeting where residents were told about plans for Club Richelieu, most agreed there is a need for this kind of facility.

“But not in our backyard,” Foucault wrote to The Star. “The only people elated about this idea were a couple of hobby farmers who will use their clients as cheap labour while they recover as they let them leave the facility. These hobby farmers are not close enough to the facility that it affects their real estate value. They had their hired urban engineering suit there saying how good this was to have in our neighborhood (but not his).”

Ward 3 Coun. Gerry Montpellier said the centre will be going to the planning committee sometime during the fall to seek rezoning for the property.

“Why should the city let them rezone the land to allow this,” Foucault asked. “The taxpayers that own abutting land and their neighbours close to the facility will lose property value. These people have paid their fair share of property taxes. This faith-based organization will probably be tax exempt. Concerned citizens have gathered over 150 names on a petition against rezoning this land. Let’s hope that on Sept. 9 at the rezoning meeting at city hall the city will favour the taxpayers’ wish not to have this facility in our backyard.”

Montpellier attended the community consultation – it was a packed house – and said Foucault’s sentiments were echoed by several area residents.

“They’re not happy to have it,” he said. “They’re fearful of the inhabitants, of its effect on property values and desirability. That was their main objection, and fear of the unknown.”

Montpellier said residents were not satisfied by what they heard from project proponents. He said he has to side with his constituents. While the treatment centre is undoubtedly a valuable addition to the community, the location is inappropriate, Montpellier said.

“They cite a lot of reasons why not here – it’s an isolated area and there’s no transit,” he said. “Quite frankly, there’s nowhere for residents of the treatment centre to go. Some worry it’s very close to a park.”

The Star made several attempts to reach an administrator at Teen Challenge, but no one was available to return phone calls or answer questions.